BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — As current WKU Hilltopper Basketball guard Josh Anderson rounded the corner Saturday night to head to his postgame interview – minutes after he threw down a thunderous dunk in the final seconds of an 88-74 win over Tennessee State – the sophomore ran straight into a hug from Hilltopper legend Kannard Johnson.
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Those were the kind of special moments that occurred Saturday evening in E.A. Diddle Arena.
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In its continued celebration of its 100th season, WKU recognized its All-Century Team during the win over Tennessee State, which also happened to be the 600th all-time victory in Diddle Arena.
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"When you talk about the tradition of Western Kentucky, there's only two other teams in the country that have won more (regular-season) championships than this place," WKU head coach Rick Stansbury said. "When you look back through the years, there's a lot of people that have been responsible for a lot of winning going back to Coach Diddle. … That's unbelievable tradition right there and what he was able to create. Anytime you've won through the years and have the tradition we have here, that means there's been a lot of good players come through this place."
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Some of those players were back in Diddle Arena on Saturday, while the families and friends of many more represented other Hilltopper legends.
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WKU invited fans to vote online earlier this year and put together their own All-Century Team of 15 players to count for a percentage of the overall voting totals. Simultaneously, other voting groups contributed to the process, including members of athletic administration, WKU Basketball Athletic Hall of Famers, active W-Club basketball lettermen and the W-Club Board of Directors.
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All-Century Team members Johnny Britt, Darel Carrier, Kannard Johnson and Bobby Rascoe were on hand for the event. Others All-Century members including head coach E.A. Diddle, Ralph Crosthwaite, Tellis Frank, Clem Haskins, Jim McDaniels, John Oldham, Dwight Smith, Art Spoelstra and Carlisle Towery were represented by friends and family.
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"This event doesn't come around very often," Britt said. "It's been 100 years, and it's the most amazing thing that the people in this university and this community picked me as a member of the All-Century Team."
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The All-Century Team began Saturday by attending the current Hilltopper team's shootaround on the main court in Diddle Arena.
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That created some fond memories, like the current players going through the stands to meet attendees, and Stansbury visiting with Mary Jo Diddle Phillips, the daughter of the late, great E.A. Diddle for which the arena is named.
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"Any time you're able to honor some older guys and honor what they've done it means a lot to everybody," sophomore forward Marek Nelson said. "As a player, you get to look at the history a little bit and you get to see that those guys are along for the ride with us, so we can appreciate that, for sure."
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The All-Century Team then had a luncheon in the Diddle Arena practice gym, where the team members and families were each presented with a hand-drawn print of the entire squad, as well as a commemorative basketball.
ÂHere is the All-Century Team print we handed out before today's game – a banner of this print now hangs on the upper concourse of Diddle Arena! #GoTops pic.twitter.com/CPlXw2jJO2
— #SellOutDiddle (@WKUBasketball) December 2, 2018
The group then headed to the Hall of Champions to sign autographs on replica versions of the All-Century print for a steady stream of fans who kept the attendees signing for nearly two hours.
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At halftime, the entire team took the court and watched as a large banner of the All-Century print was unveiled on the upper concourse of Diddle Arena behind the team bench.
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In the second half, fans received a surprise message on the videoboards from one of the All-Century Team captains, NBA veteran Courtney Lee, who couldn't attend because his New York Knicks were in action.
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Then the Hilltoppers put the finishing touches on a 14-point victory, the 600th in the historic venue. The meshing of the past and the present made for an unforgettable night.
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"I thought going into the Hall of Fame was a really, really big deal, but to be among the greats here and to be one of the top 15 players in the history of this university is absolutely phenomenal," Johnson said. "I am truly, truly blessed."
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All-Century Team member Darel Carrier spoke a bit to the honor of being chosen for the team #GoTops pic.twitter.com/p4e2wAZQKL
— #SellOutDiddle (@WKUBasketball) December 1, 2018
Johnny Britt agrees with Darel, it's an incredible honor to be a part of this very special All-Century Team! #GoTops pic.twitter.com/oJGbkRURDt
— #SellOutDiddle (@WKUBasketball) December 1, 2018
All-Century Team member Bobby Rascoe has spent quite a bit of time around WKU, and he knows how great it is! #GoTops pic.twitter.com/MXq4snrIPA
— #SellOutDiddle (@WKUBasketball) December 1, 2018
Last but not least, in attendance today was Kannard Johnson! These Hilltoppers had nothing but great things to say about their All-Century Team teammates! #GoTops pic.twitter.com/qUZO1Y0pSH
— #SellOutDiddle (@WKUBasketball) December 1, 2018
WKU All-Century Team captain @CourtneyLee5 couldn't be with us tonight because his Knicks are playing, but he sent along a message! #GoTops #ProTops pic.twitter.com/cLUvQtbHLQ
— #SellOutDiddle (@WKUBasketball) December 2, 2018
